The attitude towards Fazil Gasimov in the prison hospital does not comply with the instructions of the Ministry of Justice - lawyer

Fazil Gasimov continues a hunger strike for the 51st day in the Medical Institution of the Penitentiary Service of Azerbaijan in protest against his arrest, the economist's brother told Turan on August 3 after meeting with him.

"We met with Fazil at the prison hospital. Our mother also came with me to meet Fazil, despite her serious illness. My mother and I begged Fazil to stop his hunger strike. But he refused.  Fazil’s health is very serious. He cringed from the pain. Fazil has lost a lot of weight.  He is writhing from severe pain in his kidneys, stomach, and heart. He said that there was no strength left in his legs, and cramps were occurring. Seeing my son in such a state, my mother felt very bad," Nazim Gasimov said. According to him, according to the instructions of the Ministry of Justice, prisoners on hunger strike are allowed to transfer sugar. "That's why we were allowed to give Fazil 300 grams of honey. However, we are sure that Fazil will take honey," N. Gasimov said.

Lawyer Rovshana Rahimova, in an interview with a Turan correspondent, explained that according to the regulations of the Ministry of Justice - "Instructions on the conditions of detention and forced feeding of prisoners who refuse to eat in penitentiary institutions" and "Rules on medical measures taken against people who refuse to eat" starving prisoners can take ordinary water, and sometimes sweetened sugar or honey water.

According to Rahimova, the attitude towards F.Gasimov does not comply with the "Instructions on the conditions of detention and forced feeding of prisoners who refuse to eat in penitentiary institutions."  "Despite the fact that Fazil Gasimov was placed under medical supervision, his weight, blood pressure, and pulse are not regularly measured.  The amount and frequency of water taken are not measured at all, clinical signs, health complaints, and mental state are not recorded.  If such attitude towards Fazil Gasimov continues, then next week I will write a complaint to the Ministry of Justice," the lawyer said. The prison service could not be reached for comment.

 * Fazil Gasimov was detained in Türkiye on August 7, 2023, brought to Azerbaijan and charged under Article 204.3.1 (manufacture, purchase or sale of counterfeit money as part of an organized group) of the Criminal Code. The investigation claims that he handed over fake money to opposition politician Gubad Ibadoglu, who was later arrested.

Recently, Gasimov, in his appeal to the Prosecutor General, the Ombudswoman, the local and international community, stated that he gave these statements under torture. He refused these statements, saying that he had not given Ibadoglu counterfeit money, and had never had discussions with him on FETO (the movement of preacher Fethullah Gulen, recognized in Turkey as a terrorist organization).

Since June 14, Gasimov has been on a hunger strike to protest against unjustified criminal prosecution and torture at the beginning of the investigation.